Chapter 101
Harper’s POV
My heart sinks as several wolves slip into the darkness. I want them to stay, but after everything they’ve been through, I can’t ask that. They don’t belong with me. Technically, they all belong with someone, and all I can hope for, as they leave us, is that they find their humans again.
“They’ll be alright,” Lucas murmurs, squeezing my arm. I nod, but the worried feeling doesn’t recede. “I need to talk to Mason. I’ll be right back.”
The wolves that stay are laid out on the ground around the clearing. My wolf lays at my feet, and every now and then, she chuffs at one of the other wolves. I’m not sure what she’s saying to them, but when she does this, one of them will stand and come over to her.
I’ve watched, now, as three different wolves have come to her. She touches them with her nose on their head or their scruff before nudging them away.
The cool night air stirs with the wind, sending a shiver through me.
The large male wolf that had the deep gash on his side earlier is the next to be called over. He limps over to my wolf, and I slowly lower myself to sit beside her.
“He needs healing,” I whisper, not wanting to startle them. The gash wasn’t fully healed due to our lack of time, and I watch as my wolf lays her head on the male wolf’s side. Right before my eyes, the wound begins to stitch itself back together.
She’s been healing each of the wolves.
The longer I watch her, the more I touch her, and the closer we are to each other, I know Lucas was right. All this time, the other half of my soul has been locked up in the Domain.
Questions zip through my mind, filling me with more worry and dread.
Had they been abusing her healing abilities? Did they treat her badly? How long has she been with them? Did someone else have her before the Domain?
Tears prick my eyes at the thought of her basically being locked up for the entire year we’ve been apart. I try to hold the tears back, but they slowly roll down my cheeks.
My wolf sends the male back to the group of wolves and stands, stretches, and turns to me. A soft whine pulls from her when she looks at me, then she moves closer and rubs against my shoulder. She nudges her head under my arm until my hand is in her soft.
“What are we going to do?” I whisper. “Are we going to have to stay separated forever?” Her golden eyes watch me, and soon, I’m surrounded by the wolves. They lean into me, creating a cocoon of fur and warmth as my wolf and I reconnect.
I lean into the wolves, letting them comfort me. The worry, fear, and anxiety at our situation eases with their presence. Like a family, they curl around me in a protective bubble. Lucas is still talking with Mason, so I close my eyes for a moment.
The warmth from the wolves and the quiet of the forest soon have my body feeling heavy and tired. Hushed conversations, the sounds of the wind ruffling leaves, and the soft breathing from the wolves lull me into a daze before I slip into a much-needed sleep.
My body sways slightly, the feeling drawing my eyes open. Trees climb into the dark sky above me, their branches reaching for the stars that dance around the full moon. I blink, trying to remember why I’m in the forest.
Did I…
Arms tighten around my body, tilting me into a warm, muscular chest.
Lucas.
“Finally decided to join us again?” His rich, deep voice pierces the quiet. I rub at my gritty eyes and turn my head to find him looking down at me. The small smile pulling at his lips and the spark of amusement in his eyes tells me he’s not angry that he’s carrying me.
“Where… Why are you carrying me?”
“You fell asleep with the wolves, and we needed to keep moving. I didn’t want to wake you,” he says. I fell asleep with the wolves. Heat fills my cheeks as he slows and stops. “Do you want me to put you down?”
No.
“Yes, please.”
He nods and sets me on my feet, his hands staying on my waist until I’m steady enough to stand on my own. Something rubs against my leg, and I find my wolf peering up at me. I pet her head then look around.
Lucas, my wolf, and I are at the front of the group while Mason and the other men are at the back. The wolves are in the middle of our little caravan.
“We decided it was best to walk home instead of trying to find somewhere to stay. This way, we could keep the wolves with us while we avoid the Domain,” Lucas says. I notice but don’t comment on the hand that still rests on my waist.
The touch brings more heat to my cheeks as I also think about the kiss. He kissed me. I kissed him back. I don’t know what it means or what to do now, but once the memory of his lips on mine is in my head, I can’t get it out.
My lips tingle, and I fight the urge to cover my mouth. I peer up at Lucas, watching his mouth as it moves, and I bite my bottom lip.
Will he do it again?
Is it bad that I think I want him to?
Something cold bumping against the back of my leg grabs my attention, and one of the male wolves comes around to stand by my side. A low rumble sounds from the male wolf, and surprise shoots through me.
“…is mine, wolf.”
Lucas’s words pierce the fog in my mind, and I pull back.
“What did you say?” I ask, finally remembering that he was talking to me. I was too busy thinking about the kiss, which again, sends a wave of embarrassment through me.
Lucas turns away from the male wolf who is now slinking back to the group of wolves.
“Nothing,” Lucas tells me, pulling me back to his side. His touch sends pleasurable tingles into my body, and I try not to think about them. “We still have a ways to go before we get back to the pack. Will you be alright to run if we keep it slow?”
Him being this close and thinking of my comfort, I find myself feeling a little less apprehensive toward Lucas. I’m not sure what I feel for him right now, but the anger has dimmed. Other emotions swirl within me, but I shove them aside.
“I’ll be alright.”
Staying close to Lucas, I do my best to match their pace as we run. I fall slightly behind Lucas, but the others stay behind me, and when he notices, Lucas adjusts his speed to mine. It does something to me, and my heart flips hopefully.
The wolves weave between the trees ahead of us, and my heart pinches with worry. “Stay close, or you’ll get lost!” I call as one of the wolves disappears into the dark. His fur is jet black, so I lose sight of him for a moment before he reappears ahead.
“You worry too much,” Lucas teases from my side. The light, playful tone makes me smile. We share glances and come close enough to brush against each other while we run.
The mate bond hums between us, and despite my fears, I realize that Lucas might have just earned himself a chance at forgiveness.
